Dennis Allan Mahoney

Dennis Mahoney, age 79, of rural Appleton, passed away Sunday evening, August 14, 2022, in Appleton Area Health-Hospital.  Visitation will be held 9:30-11:00 a.m., with a Rosary at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 18, 2022, at St. John's Catholic Church in Appleton.  Fr. Jeremy Kucera will officiate.  Burial will be in St. Agnes Catholic Cemetery, Hegbert Township.

Dennis Allan Mahoney was born May 17, 1943, in Morris, Minnesota, the son of William Thomas and Ann Helen (Muehlbauer) Mahoney.  He was baptized and confirmed at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Hegbert Township.  Denny was raised in Hegbert Township where he attended grade school at District 35.  He later attended Appleton High School, where he graduated, Class of 1961.  On July 17, 1971, Dennis was united in marriage to Tessa Marie Wiese at St. John’s Catholic Church in Appleton, by Fr. Bernard Steiner.  This union was blessed with over 51 years together and two sons: Scott and Kris.

Upon high school graduation, Dennis had intentions to enlist in the Army, but his brother, Roger, asked him to join Ted Banken Sr. in his farming operation for three years.  He later farmed with his father, William Mahoney, his brother, Paul Mahoney, and most currently with his son, Scott.  Denny took over Jack Mahoney’s DeKalb Seed business and operated as a farmer-seed salesman for over 40 years!  He was also a self-taught agronomist.    In addition, he also raised hogs from his 4-H years through the 1990’s.  Between 2003-2015, thirteen Brazilians: Pedro, Carlos, Marcelo, Luciano, Leo, Fabio, Alfredo, Paulo, Ezequiel, Luciano, Fernando, Wagner, and Leonardo, helped Denny with the farming operation.  He taught by example and with patience.  The trainees became members of the Mahoney family.

Over the years he was affectionately known as “Red” or “Big Red.”  As a youth he was a member of the Work and Win 4-H Club and the Appleton FFA Chapter.  He had fond memories of showing 4-H dairy cows at the MN State Fair.  Denny was a long-time member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Appleton and was also a Knights of Columbus member.  He enjoyed watching sports on TV, especially the MN Twins and Vikings.  In his younger years Denny was a member of the WD Anderson Motors Bowling team in Appleton.  Denny liked to attend farm auctions and in recent years, took a liking to bingo.

Dennis passed away Sunday evening, August 14, 2022, in Appleton Area Health-Hospital.  He attained 79 years, 2 months, and 27 days of age.  Denny is survived by his wife Tessa Mahoney of Appleton; sons: Scott (Lea) Mahoney of Willmar and Kris (Carye) Mahoney of Welland, Ontario, Canada; his grandchildren: Angela Mahoney, Samuel Mahoney, and Sophie Mahoney; brother, Roger (Katie) Mahoney of Appleton; sisters-in-law: Dianne Mahoney of Minneapolis, Marlene Mahoney of Chaska, Marlys Mahoney of Appleton, Dorothy Wiese of Appleton; brother-in-law, Doug (Tami) Plank of Gayville, SD; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Ann Mahoney; brothers: Gerald Mahoney and Paul Mahoney; sister, Sharon Mahoney; parents-in-law, Herbert and Martha Wiese; brother-in-law, Terry Wiese; sister-in-law, Nancy Gilbertson; nephews: Jacob Wiese and Joel Tayler; and niece, Jenny Mahoney.  Blessed be the memory of Dennis Allan Mahoney.